Mechanical movement



(No Model.)

2 SheetB- Sheet 1.. D. W. DODSON. V I MEGHANIGAL MOVEMENT.

Patented Apr. 30, 1889..

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Witnesses; 70 71 I l {,6 if I .lnveng MW WW I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DARIEN w. DoDsoN, on WILKES-BARRFJ, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,234, dated April 30, 1889.

Application filed February 3, 1888- Serial No. 262,870. (No model.)

fication.

This invent-ion is in the nature of an improvement on the mechanical movement which is described and claimed in the application of F. H. Richards, Serial No. 232,937, (to which I have permission to refer and the present invention consists in certain improvements in the latch mechanism described therein, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of so much of a mechanical movement of the class specified as embodies my present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the latch set ready for use. 7

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are sectional side elevations showing the catches and latch in four successive stages of their, operation. Fig. '7 is a horizontal section through the latch-case. Fig. 8 is a section in line a a, Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is an end View of the latch-lever. Fig.10 is across-section of the escapement in line b b, Fig. 5. Figs. 11 and 12 are vertical sections showing a modification of the mechanism.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures.

The frame-work A, of any preferred construction adapted to carry the mechanism, has a stud or shaft, D, on which turns arevoluble frame or turret, H, that carries the shaft 6, having thereon the starting-arm 26. Said frame also has formed therein a suitable bearing for a reciprocating latch, 50, which is thrown forward (toward the left hand, as shown in the drawings) by a spring, 52, surrounding said latch. The forward movement of the latch is conveniently limited by a collar, 53, formed on the latch and stopping againstsome wall or hearing, as 51, on frame A. The object and mode of operation of these several parts are fully described in the aforesaid application of F. H. Richards.

- According to mypresent invention the latch 50 (whatever its cross-sectional form may be) is provided with two catches, set one in advance of the other, andllaving between them nishedwith two catches arranged to be successively engaged with those of the latch. The catches on one of said parts are so constructed and arranged that one of them will. sooner than the other engage its corresponding latch-catch, and so that when such result happens the one so caught may be disengaged and the latch remain hooked back by the other pair of catches until these are in due succession also disengaged. These features will be understood by the following detailed description ofthe mechanism.

The latch 50 has two fixed catches, 1O 12, of

substantially the usual ratchet-tooth form, and a collar or shoulder, 53. Those catches are set one in advance of the other, as shown, the face of catch 12 being usually beveled or slightly rounded.

The .escapement N is a substantially rigid bar or plate, of any convenient proportions, pivotally supported at 23 on trunnions 25 between arms, as 24, of the latch-case C, which is held in a stationary position on frame A. Said part N has two escapement-catches, 32, engaging with latch-catches 10 and 12, respectively, and has (or may have) a projecting arm, 2.), whereby it is operated. The catch 30, I designate as the holding-catch and 32 as the detainingcatch,because the latter only detains the latch until the fingerkey isreleased, after which time catch 30 holds the latch until again operated The key-lever L is pivoted at 13 between post 14 of frame A, and is provided with the finger-key 15, the downward stroke of the key being limited. by a stop, 17 and the key uplifted by a spring, 16. This arrangement of key and keylever, however, is quite immaterial to my in vention, and may be changed as circu Instances indicate.

The latch is preferably made round (revoluble) and fits freely in its bearing 51,

so that the rear (right-hand) end of said latch may have some vertical motion toward and from the escapement N. This latch movebearing 6(3) on the under side of the latch at 61 and between the two catches l0 and 12, about as shown. The spring 52 acts (usually and preferably through a washer, 59) on the middle part, 62, of the lever '1, which is perforated at (53 for the passage of the latch. The lever is proportioned and arranged to exert the proper degree of force upward on the latch.

It will be observed that the axis 23, Figs. 1 to 6, of the escapement N is slightly below a straight line extending from the edge of catch 30 to that of catch 32, and is about in line with the upper parts of catches 10 and 12 when the latch is hooked back. There is a distinct utility in this construction and arrangement, in that the necessary stroke of the latch is reduced to a minimum and the power required to work the escapement is also re duced. Both of these features are highlyimportant in that class of type-writers in which this class of mechanisms is employed. The construction of the escapement to accomplish those results is as follows: On either side of the escapement-catches the metal is turned down, as at 26, and on these depending flanges the trunnions 25,Fig. 10, are formed. In this way a free space is provided between the trunnions for the movement of the latch.

The latch-case is or may be removably fixed in a suitably-formed part, as 10, of the frame A. On the under side of the bore for said case there is formed a detent-notch, 70, into which fits the catch 71 of spring 7 2. By raising the spring the catch is lifted out of said notch, when the case 0 may be withdrawn. This device permits the case to be made of sheet metal and the cases to be put very close together in the latch-frame of the type-writer. At the same time any one of the set may be removed for repairs or other purpose without disturbing the adjacent ones. This feature, however, I do not claim in this application.

My improved latch mechanism works after the manner of an escapement, and when constructed as thus above described its particular mode of operation is as follows: The normal position of the several details when standing idle ready to be used is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this position the latch 50 is held back by the engagement of its catch 10 with the escapement-catch 30. It will be observed that at this time catch 32 stands just rearward and directly on the catch 12, as shown in Fig. 2. Said parts being thus situated and the turret II being revolving, but shaft 6 not revolving, (except orbitally,) the operator presses down key 15, thereby swinging lever L on its pivot and lifting the escapementarm 29. This forces down the end 32 and the latch itself until catch 10 is disengaged and the latch thrown forward, as in Fig. 3. (At this moment the key and escapement stand as in Fig. 5.) If new the key be released, catch 30 drops onto the side of catch 10, ready to re-engage the same 011 the return of the latch, as shown in Fig. 4. This is perhaps the more usual mode of operation; but let us suppose the operator still holds the key in its lower position, as in Figs. 5 and t3, and that while thus held the starting-arm 2G forces back the latch, as described in the aforesaid prior application. In such case the forward catch, 12, is driven back and into engagement with the forward escapement catch, 32,whi ch thereby holds back latch 50, as in Fig. 6,w1th the catch 10 too low down to engage catch 30. On the rising of thekey the spring 52, acting through lever T, presses up the latch against the upwardly-moving-escapement-catch 32 until catch 10 is re-engaged. After this, on the complete release of the key, the forward pressure of the latch-catch 12 on the beveled under side of catch 32 forces this latter catch still farther up until the parts again stand as in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, ready for another opeiation.

A modified arrangement or organization of the mechanism is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which correspond to Figs. 4 and 5, as to the positions of the several details. In these views 11 and 12 the positions on the latch of catches 10 and 12 are reversed and the escapement N is placed below said latch and correspondingly modified. The operation of the several details, however, is not materially changed, but only as to direction. With this exception the preceding description of the operation will apply to the modified construction.

It will be understood that said apparatus is capable of modification in various ways and degrees other than the ways described, after the manner of machines in general, within the scope and limits of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1

claim- 1. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination of the reciprocating latch provided with two catches set one in advance of the other, the escapement located at one side of said latch and having two corresponding catches, and a spring-actuated device, substantially as described, pressing said latch against said escapement, substantially as described.

2. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination of the latch provided with two catches, set one in advance of the other, the escapement havingtwo corresponding catches, the lever pressing said latch against said escapement, and a spring taking its bearings between said latch and lever, all substan tially as described.

In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination, with a frame-work having a bearing for the latch and a bearing for the latchcase, of the latch, the latch-ease havingaful crum for the lever and carrying the escapement, and the spring-actuated lever fulcrumed in said case and acting on said latch to press the same against said escapement, all substantially as described.

4. In a mechanism of the class specified, the

two catches set one in advance of the other I and having a collar or shoulder, 53, the pivoted escapement located at one side of said latch and having two corresponding catches, the bent lever T, pressing said latch against said escapement-catches, and the spiral spring 52, carried on said latch and taking its bearing between said collar 53'and said'lever, all substantially as described. I

5. In amechanism of the class specified, the combination, with the latch-case C,'having the arms 24 24 perforated at 23, and having a fulcrum for lever T, of the spring-actuated latch havingcatches 10 and 12, the escapement N, journaled in said case at. 23 23, and having catches 3O 32, and the bent lever T, fulcrumed in said case and perforated for said latch, and

with its point taking its bearing on the side' of said latch opposite said escapem ent,-all substantially as described.

6. In a mechanism of the class'specified, the combination, with the latch provided with the catches l0 and 12, of the escapement N, pivotally supported on a fixed axis and located at one side of said latch, and having the holding-catch 30 and the detaining-catch 32, the distance between catches 30 and 32 being less than between catches 10 and 12, and thelatch having a lateral movement toward and from said escapement, all substantially as described.

7. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination, with a latch, substantially as described, of the lever T, having the fulcrumbearing 60 and the latch-bearing 61, and

formed at 62 for the passage through said 1e ver of the latch, and to there receive the force of a springthat is carried on said latch, all substantially as described.

8. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination, with an arm, 26, having two ro- A tary movements, as set forth, of the spring actuated reciprocating latch interposable into the orbital path of said arm and having two catches, as set forth, the pivoted escapement located at one side of said latch and having two corresponding catches, a key operating said escapement, and a spring-actuated device pressing said latch-catches into engagement with said escapement, the whole being organized and coacting to throw forward the latch on depressing the key and to recatch the latch on its return either before or after the release of the key, all substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

9. In a mechanism of the class specified, the

escapement N, having the holding-catch 30 and detaining-catch 32, and having the depending flanges 26 26, each provided with a trunnion, 25, below the line of said catches, all substantially as described.

10. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination, witha suitable frame-work and with the latch, of the latch-case removably bearing against one side of said latch between the latch-catches and fulcrumed in said case on the opposite side of said latch from its said bearing on the latch, and a spring carried on the latch within said case and acting between.

the latch and said lever, all substantially as described.

11. In a mechanism of the class specified, the combination, with the revoluble latch, having catches 1O 12, and having the cylindricalportion 65 between said catches, of the latch-case G, the escapement N, pivoted in said case, and the spring-actuated lever T, fulcrumed in said case and having a concave bearing, 66, resting on said part 65, all as set'forth.

DARIEN I. DODSON.

VVitness'es: DANIEL L. RHONE, B. M. EsPY. 

